Does GAS ever get in the way of your playing?

It does get in my way many times. I am very technical/gear head and that part of me sometimes gets in the way. I love to read up on values in the musical arena (Agile Guitars, some Behringer Equipment, Sammi Speakers, Valve Junior, etc.). I want to build my own tube amp, and other things. Unfortunately with work and family most of these things come at the expense of practicing the guitar. I need a couple lifetimes I think as I have too many interests.

I don't think 'good'and 'bad' really exists with guitars. My favourite guitar right now is a black 'caliber' strat, given to me by a friend of mine. The action is hopeless, the intionation is miles off, it doesn't hold tune for an hour and the fretwork is a bloody disgrace. I'm not even sure the body is made of actual wood, it weights virtually nothing at all. Playing it really means I have to work. But I dig how it sounds and love how it plays, even though I guess technically it's about as bad a guitar as can possible exist.

Loads of folks here got the '51. It's a dirt-cheap guitar, and many of these buyers already had a guitar, often even high-end ones. But if the '51 sounds or plays differently then it is still a great addition and a smart purchase. The fact that it's cheap is a bonus, not a drawback.

I have GAS everyday. :D

For years I could not spend money on gear, in the last 10 years I have more money available for this. So, I'm making up for lost time.

I like to look for hidden jewels. Everybody knows a LP Classic is a great guitar, but I can't spend 2 or 3 grand like that. So I am always reading reviews for gear that is inexpensive, but sounds great. The Squier 51 is a good example, great guitar for only $100. And the EVJ amp is also a real jewel. So I buy a lot, but it is not top of the line purchases. But I have gotten a great sounding rig like this.

There are still a few things I would like. I've always wanted an SG, my brother owned one when I was a kid, great guitar. So I'm looking at getting one of the Faded SGs. I also like the looks of that Melody Maker in another post. I like the shorter scale of the Gibson's as I do not have large hands. I also like humbuckers over single coils.

There's a mixing board I want, another power amp, the Sonic Maximizer, it just goes on and on.....

Hey, I have no life other than guitar. What else can I spend money on?? :roll:

And no, it does not interfere with my playing. The better sounding gear you have, the better you play. It's all about getting those pro tones you hear on the radio.

pure genius...